Fla. man killed by van after dog pushes accelerator

(NBC) -- A Florida man has died after a dog jumped into a van and pushed the accelerator, causing the vehicle to strike the man as he opened a gate outside of his home, authorities said.

The Florida Highway Patrol reported that 68-year-old James Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.

The strange incident began as Campbell and Iris Fortner, 68, returned to their home in Cantonment, Fla., on the Florida Panhandle on Monday.

According to an FHP report, while Fortner, who was driving, backed a 1995 Chevy van into their property, Campbell got out of the passenger's side of the vehicle to open a metal gate outside their home.

As Fortner opened the driver's side door to see where Campbell was standing, her large boxer came running toward the van and jumped in, pressing the accelerator, the report said.

Before Fortner could stop the vehicle, it struck and ran over Campbell, trapping him under it, according to the report. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Campbell's death is under investigation. Fortner has not been charged.